Fourteen migrants drown as boat sinks off Türkiye's Bodrum coast

Fourteen migrants have drowned after an overcrowded inflatable boat sank off the coast of Bodrum in southwestern Türkiye, according to local authorities. The Turkish Coast Guard rescued two survivors during an extensive search operation launched after a distress call reported the vessel's sinking in the Aegean Sea on Friday.

Emergency Response and Rescue Operations

The Muğla Governor's Office initiated a major search and rescue mission after receiving an emergency call from an Afghan national around midday. The individual reported reaching shore following a six-hour swim after the boat carrying eighteen migrants sank approximately ten minutes after departing from Bitez. Coast Guard authorities dispatched four vessels, dive teams, and a helicopter to locate survivors.

Survivor Accounts and Ongoing Search

According to survivor testimony, the inflatable boat had embarked from the Bitez area of Bodrum with eighteen migrants aboard before rapidly taking on water and sinking. One migrant managed to swim to nearby Çelebi Island, while another was rescued from the water by Coast Guard teams. The two survivors received medical attention while search efforts continued for any remaining passengers.

Search Operations Continue

Turkish Coast Guard units maintained search operations using multiple vessels, specialized dive teams, and aerial support to locate potential additional victims. The incident occurred in waters near Ortakent, a coastal area of Bodrum in Muğla province that has previously witnessed similar migrant boat tragedies. The nationalities of the deceased migrants were not immediately disclosed by authorities.